Chandler Otis: Let's talk about mental health

Published: Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 10:08 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 10:08 a.m.

In the United States, an 18-year-old citizen can purchase a long weapon (rifle or shotgun) by providing an identification and undergoing a background check. That same citizen can drive an automobile, after being tested for competency (driver license test) and getting insurance for any potential damage. That same citizen cannot legally posses a can of beer.

Before you go ballistic, this is not a call for gun control. That issue will be argued ad infinitum by the gun-haters and the gun-huggers.

Instead, we desperately need a national conversation about mental health and emotional health issues, as evidenced by two recent high profile shootings.

The most recent event, a public place invasion by an apparently mentally ill person, should start a national discussion about metal health issues. Other public place incidents often involve upset men invading a workplace to seek revenge on ex-wives, ex-girlfriends or ex-employers.

The other recent shooting involved a football player shooting his girlfriend. This, an emotionally wrought man killing a romantic partner, unfortunately is all too common. We should immediately start discussing emotional health, relationship and anger issues.

The response by NRA chief Wayne LaPierre was , "The one thing missing in that equation is that woman owning a gun so she could have saved her life from that murderer."

It seems what he was saying is "Ladies, go get a gun and if your husband/boyfriend starts acting weird, preemptively shoot him." Watch out men, you better be on your best behavior.

My challenge to the NRA is: Start a national discussion about mental health, emotional health and anger issues and how these relate to violence.

Another challenge: Take some of that money you give to politicians and donate it to mental health organizations.

Drunken driving has been reduced by a national dialogue over the last 20 years. Open discussion and slogans such as "Think before your drink" have raised our awareness and vigilance.

Perhaps it's time to "Think before you plink."

One last thought: a friend of mine suggested: "Since it's mostly men doing these shootings, maybe only women should be allowed to have guns."

My response: The unintended consequence of this would be the near immediate enactment of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) at the behest of the NRA.

Chandler Otis,

Gainesville

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